Fluid pressure device and valve



Dec. 4, 1962 L. 'CHARLSON Re. 25,291

FLUID PRESSURE DEVICE AND VALVE Original Filed June 8, 1956 3Sheets-Sheet 1 INVEN TOR.

Zywl MM BY Dec. 4, 1962 L. CHARLSON FLUID PRESSURE DEVICE AND VALVE 5Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed June 8, 1956 INVENTOR z. W;

ATTflF/Vfy Dec. 4, 1962 CHARLSON Re. 25,291

FLUID PRESSURE DEVICE AND VALVE Original Filed June 8, 1956 5Sheets-Sheet 3 zf?g- '7 10 8 Z 5 Re. 25,291 Reissued Dec. 4, 1962 use25,291 FLUID PRESSURE DEVICE AND VALVE Lynn L. Charlson, Nlinneapolis,Minn, assignor to Germane Corporation, Minneapolis, Minn., a corporationof Minnesota Original No. 2,821,171, dated Jan. 28, 1958, Ser. No.590,314, June 8, 1956. Application for reissue May 21, 1962, Ser. No.197,194

21 Claims. (Cl. 121-39) Matter enclosed in heavy brackets appears in theoriginal patent but forms no part of this reissue specification; matterprinted in italics indicates the additions made by reissue.

My invention relates generally to fluid pressure apparatus, and moreparticularly to rotary fluid pressure devices such as rotary pumps,motors and the like.

More specifically, my invention relates to rotary fluid pressureoperated motors utilized for the purpose of delivering relatively hightorque output at a relatively low output speed.

An important object of my invention is the provision of a rotary fluidpressure motor of the type set forth in which the torque output isdelivered smoothly and evenly under various speeds of operation.

Another object of my invention is provision of a device of the abovetype which can be easily and quickly installed in the steering systemo-f a vehicle as a portion of the steering rod thereof, and which, whenin an inoperative condition, will permit normal manual steering of thevehicle with a minimum of restriction.

Still another object o-f my invention is the provision of a fluidpressure operated motor which is relatively inexpensive to produce andwhich has a minimum of moving parts.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a fluid motor havingan annular internally toothed stator and an externally toothed rotorhaving a less number of teeth than said stator and in meshing engagementtherewith for orbital and rotary movements relative thereto,

and of novel means for transferring rotary movement of said rotor to arotary output shaft irrespective of the orbital movement of the rotor.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a fluid motor of thetype set forth having novel control valve mechanism whereby the motormay be operated in forward and reversed directions as desired.

In a specific sense, I utilize fluid pressure operated components of thetype disclosed in the United States Patent No. 1,682,563 issued August28, 1928, to Myron P. Hill. However, in my novel arrangement, the outer,internally toothed member is stationary and the inner member partakes ofa hypocycloidal movement therein and travels in an orbit about the axisof the stationary member. Rotation of the inner member or rotor isdetermined by the difference in the number of teeth in said members.Hence, if the outer stationary member has seven teeth and the rotaryinner member has six teeth, the inner member will rotate one-sixth turnon its own axis with each full cycle of orbital travel about the axis ofthe outer stationary member. Thus a relatively low speed, high torqueoutput is achieved in such an arrangement.

The above and still further highly important objects and advantages ofmy invention will become apparent from the following detailedspecification, appended claims, and attached drawings.

Referring to the drawings, which illustrate the invention, and in whichlike characters indicate like parts throughout the several views:

FIG. 1 is a view partly in diagram and partly in side elevation of avehicle steering mechanism incorporating my invention, some parts beingbroken away and some parts shown in section;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view in axial sec tion of the fluidpressure motor, driving connections and valve mechanism of my invention,the valve mechanism being shown in a neutral position,

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary detail, of a portion of FIG. 2 butshowing a portion of the valve mechanism thereof in side elevation;

EEG. 4 is a transverse section taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 on areduced scale;

FIG. 5 is a similarly reduced cross section taken on the irregular line5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary detail in transverse section taken substantiallyon the line 6-6 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view corresponding to FIG. 2 but showing a differentposition of some of the parts;

FIG. 8 is a transverse section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 7, on areduced scale;

FIG. 9 is a similarly reduced transverse section taken on the irregularline 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a transverse section taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 7, on areduced scale, some parts being broken away;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary transverse section, taken on the line 11-11 ofFIG. 7 on a reduced scale; and

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary transverse section taken on the line 12-12 ofFIG. 7.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, a generallycylindrical casing indicated in its entircty by the numeral 1, is shownas comprising an intermediate section 2 and end sections 3 and 4, theend section 3 being in the nature of a valve body, and the end section 4providing a bearing for a drive shaft element 5. The several sections 2,3 and 4 are rigidly held together in axial alignment bycircumferentially spaced machine screws or bolts 6 which extend throughaligned openings 7 and S in the intermediate section 2 and end section 4respectively, and which are screw threaded into the adjacent end portionof the end section 3. For the purpose of the present example, themachine screws 6 are shown in FIG. 1 as being utilized to mount the unit1 on a suitable wall or frame portion 9 of an automotive vehicle such asa tractor or the like, not shown. A rotary shaft 10 is coupled to thedrive shaft 5 for common rotation therewith by bevel gears 11 and 12mounted on the outer end portion of the drive shaft 5 and on theadjacent end of the shaft 10* respectively. The numeral 13 indicates anoutboard bearing bracket for supporting the extreme outer end of thedrive shaft element 5. The shaft 10 may be assumed to be coupled to thedirigible wheels of the tractor, not shown, in the usual manner. Theconnections between the drive shaft element 5 and the dirigible wheels,in themselves not comprising the instant invention, detailed showing anddescription thereof is not deemed necessary. Hence, for the sake ofbrevity such showing and description is omitted. Obviously, the driveshaft element 5 may, if desired, form an extension of the shaft 10, thusdispensing with the necessity for the bevel gears 11 and 12.

The intermediate section 2 is in the nature of an annular internallytoothed motor stator, the internal teeth thereof being indicated by thenumeral 14. The inner toothed surface of the intermediate section orstator 2 cooperates with the adjacent end wall surfaces 15 and 16 of thevalve body 3 and bearing end section 4 respectively to define a chamber17, in which is contained a rotor 18. The rotor 18 is formed to providea plurality of teeth 19 preferably one less in number than the teeth 14of said stator but of the same pitch thereof, so that the same areadapted to achieve intermeshing engagement. The tooth structures of theteeth 14 and 19 are such that, when one or more of the rotor teeth 19are in full meshing engagement with an adjacent tooth 14, the others ofsaid teeth 19 have frictional sealing engagement with adjacent teeth 14of the stator 2. As above indicated, the tooth structure is of the typedisclosed in the Hill patent above identified, and it is believed thatfurther detailed description thereof is unnecessary. However, for thepurpose of the present example, it will be noted that the intermediatesection or stator 2 is provided with seven internal teeth 14 whereas therotor 18 is provided with one less or six teeth 19. Moreover, thesection 2 being stationary, the rotor 18, being eccentrically mounted inthe stator 2 must travel in an orbit about the axis of the stator 2. Inother words, the rotor '18 partakes of a hypocycloidal movement withinthe stator 2. It will be further noted that, as the rotor 18 moves inits orbit in a counterclockwise direction with respect to FIGS. 5 and 9about the axis of the stator 2, rotary movement is imparted thereto in aclockwise direction with respect to FIGS. 5 and 9. Furthermore, thestator teeth 14 being seven in number and the rotor teeth 19 being sixin number, the rotor 18 will rotate in said clockwise direction /arevolution about its own axis for each full 360 cycle of orbitalmovement in said counterclockwise direction about the axis of saidstator 2.

The rotor 18 has a splined axial opening 20 therethrough which containsthe inner enlarged head 21 of a drive link 22 the outer end of which isformed to provide a ball segment 23. The ball segment 23 is providedwith a transverse opening 24 through which extends a pin 25 the oppositeends of which are mounted in diametrically opposed portions of thetubular drive shaft 5. The head 21 is provided with teeth 26 that meshwith the spline of the opening 20-, the teeth 26 being longitudinallyarcuate to permit rocking or tilting movements of the drive link 22toward and away from the axis of the rotor 18. The transverse opening 24is shaped to permit limited universal swinging movement of the drivelink 22 with respect to the drive shaft element 5, and the pin 25transmits rotary movement of the drive link 22 imparted thereto by therotor 18 during its orbital movement, to the drive shaft element 5. Withreference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 7, it will be seen that the enlarged head 21of the drive link 22 is of considerably less axial length than that ofthe splined opening 20 of the rotor 18. It will further be noted thatone end 27 of the head 21 engages the adjacent end wall surface 16 ofthe end section 4, this engagement limiting axial movement of the drivelink 22 and drive shaft element 5 outwardly with respect to the endsection 4.

The end section or valve body 3 is provided with a central opening 28that is coaxial with the intermediate section or stator 2 and the driveshaft element 5, and a pair of axially spaced annular channels 29 and 30which open radially inwardly to the central opening 28. At its innerend, the axial opening 28 is counterbored to receive an annular thrustcollar 31 the purpose of which will hereinafter become apparent. Thevalve body 3 further defines an inlet port 32 and an outlet port 33 theformer of which is adapted to be connected to a pump 34 through a fluidline 35 and a conventional conduit fitting 36 screw threaded into thevalve body 3. With reference particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 it will beseen that the outlet or discharge port 33 communicates with a fluidreser'voir 37 by means of a conduit 38 and a conventional fitting 39therefor, said fitting 39 being screw threaded into the valve body 3.With reference particularly to FIG. 1, it will be seen that a conduit 40extends from the fluid reservoir 37 to the pump 34 to provide a completefluid system for the motor.

The valve body 3 is provided with a plurality of axially extending fluidpassages 41 each of which communicates with the fluid motor chamber 17between a different pair of the internal teeth 14 of the stator 2,preferably adjacent the bases of the teeth 14. The opposite end of eachfluid passage 41 communicates with a radial passage 42 which extendsradially inwardly and communicates with the bore or axial opening 28 inthe valve body 3 as indicated at 43. With reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 7it will be seen that the inner ends 43 of the fluid passages 42 arecentrally located between the annular channels 29 and 30.

A tubular valve element 44 is mounted for limited axial and rotarymovements in the bore 28 of the valve body 3 and is provided with aplurality of circumferentially spaced axially extending, radiallyoutwardly opening recesses or channels 45 and 46. The channels 45 and 46are equal in length but axially olfset, see particularly FIG. 3. Also,as there shown, each of the channels 46 is of a length whereby, in aninoperative position of the valve element 44, the opposite ends of eachchannel 46 communicate with the circumferential channels 29 and 30 ofthe valve body. Thus, when the valve element 44 is in its inoperativeposition, fluid pumped to the inlet port 32 by the pump 34 is feddirectly to the outlet or discharge port 33 and from thence to thereservoir 37. Inasmuch as the fluid system is not a closed system,passages 42 communicating with any one of the channels 45 or 46 when thevalve element 44 is in its inoperative position, no pressure is appliedto the motor chamber 17, because of the escape of said pressure throughthe outlet port 33. Movement of the tubular valve element 44 from itsneutral or inoperative position of FIGS. 2 and 3 to the right withrespect thereto, and to an operative position illustrated in FIG. 7,will cause the channels 46 to move out of registration with the channel29 and will enable communication to be had between the inner ends 43 ofcertain ones of the passages 42 and the outlet or discharge port 33through the annular channel 30. Furthermore, the channels 45 will bemoved to enable the inner ends 43 of certain other of the passages 42 tocommunicate with the pump 34 through the inlet passage 32 and theannular channel 29', whereby to admit fluid under pressure to desiredportions of the fluid motor chamber 17. Means for moving the valveelement 44 rotatively and axially comprises a conventional steeringwheel or the like 47.

An elongated valve control element in the nature of a shaft 48 extendsgenerally axially within the tubular valve element 44, and is providedat its inner end with a diametrically enlarged head 49 disposed withinthe splined opening 20 of the rotor 18. The head 49 is provided withaxially extending teeth 50 which engage the splines of the opening 20whereby the control shaft 48 is rotated in common with the rotor 18.Like the teeth 27 of the drive link 22 the teeth 50' are curved orgenerally arcuate in a direction longitudinally of the shaft 48 wherebyto permit tilting movement of the shaft 48 away from the axis of therotor 18. The head 49 defines an annular inner face or shoulder 51 thatengages the annular collar 31 to limit axially outward movement of theshaft or coupling element 48 with respect to the valve body 3. It willbe noted that the adjacent inner ends of the heads 21 and 49 are crownedand in abutting engagement so that each limits axially in'w-ard movementof the other during rotary and orbital movements of the rotor 18. At itsopposite end, the control coupling element 48 is provided with an outerenlarged head in the nature of a ball segment 52 having a transverseopening 53 through which extends atransverse coupling pin 54. Theopening '53 in the ball? segment head 52 is elongated slightly in adirection axially of the shaft 48 to permit limited swinging movement ofthe shaft 48 with respect to the pin 54 about an axis normal to the axisof the pin 54. This swinging movement. together with movement of theshaft or control element 48 on the axis of the pin 54 provides for alimited uni versal movement of the control element 48 in the same.manner as that partaken of by the drive link 22. The opposite ends ofthe pin 54 are contained in generally triangular openings atdiametrically opposed portions of the valve element 44 adjacent itsextreme outer end. The openings 55 define cam surfaces 56 and 57 whichengage the adjacent ends of the pin 54 to cause axial movement to beimparted to the valve element 44 in a direction inwardly with respect tothe valve housing 3, when the steering wheel 47 is rotated in eitherdirection from its neutral position shown in FIG. 2. With reference toFIGS. 2 and 7 it will be seen that the valve element 44 is yieldinglybiased toward its neutral position of FIG. 2 by a coil compressionspring 58 interposed between an annular shoulder 59 on the couplingcontrol element or shaft 48 and a stop shoulder in the nature of a snaplink or the like 60 within the valve element 44.

The position of the splines of the opening 2t? relative to the teeth 19,the teeth 50 to the pin 54 and the openings 55 and the channels 45 and46, and these channels 45 and 46 relative to the inner ends 43 of thepassages 42, are all predetermined and so disposed, that when the valveelement 44 is rotated by the steering wheel 47 and caused to moveaxially during said rotation by engagement of the pin 54 with one or theother of the cam surfaces 56 or 57, that fluid under pressure will becaused to be introduced to a given portion of the chamber 17 to impartorbital movement to the rotor 13. At the same time, fluid will be causedto be discharged through other passages 41 and 42 from certain otherportions of the chamber 17 to the outlet or discharge port 33 and fromthence to the reservoir 37. As the rotor 18 partakes of itshypocycloidal movement within the chamber 17, the control element orshaft 43 is caused to rotate, [and this rotation is transferred to thevalve element 44 through the pin 54] the speed of rotation of the shaft48 being equal to that of the rotor 18. Similar rotation is transferredto the drive shaft element 5 through the drive link 22. During suchrotation, the valve channels 45 and 46 are progressively moved intocommunication with other fluid-passage portions 43 to cause progressiveorbital and rotary movement of the rotor 18. Thus, orbital and rotarymovement will continue as long as the operation keeps rotating the wheel47 in the desired direction. Obviously, as soon as the operator stopsrotation of the wheel 47, continued rotation of the control element orshaft 48 will cause the pin 54 to move toward the centers of theopenings 55, and the spring 58 will move the valve element 44 axially toits position of FIG. 2 wherein a neutral or inoperative state is assumedat which point all rotary movement of the rotor ceases. With referenceto FIG. 8 it will be seen that one or more of the valve channels 45 and46 are in communication with a selected one of the fluid passages 42 atall times so that the valve element 44, during its rotation, operatesmuch like a commutator to cause delivery of fluid under pressure to theproper portion of the chamber 17, and permit discharge of the fluid fromother portions thereof to provide a smooth and uninterrupted movement ofthe rotor 18.

The connection between the valve element 44 and the control couplingelement 43, the connections between the heads 49 and 21 through thespline of the rotor 18, and the pin 25 connecting the head 23 and thedrive shaft element 5, all provide for a positive connection between thesteering wheel 47 and the drive shaft element 5, so that when the pump34 is rendered inoperative, the vehicle may be steered manually throughthese connections with little if any greater effort than would berequired by a straight shaft connection between the wheel 47 and thedrive shaft element 5.

For the purpose of utilizing the above described device as acontinuously operating fluid pressure motor, it is only necessary thatthe valve element 44 be moved axially inwardly and rotated in thedesired direction with respect to the control coupling shaft 48 to theextent permitted by the width of the opening 55, and then locked in thisposition by any suitable means, not shown. This done, the rotor willcontinue to move in the chamber 17 and rotate in a given direction aslong as fluid under pressure is supplied to the chamber 17 by the pump34. Obviously, reversing the direction of rotation of the drive shaftelement 5, either when the apparatus is used as a steering motor, or asa continuously rotating device, is accomplished by merely turning thewheel 47 in the opposite direction from that in which it was originallyturned, whereby to change the relationship between a given one or moreof the valving channels 45 and 46 and respective ones of the fluidpassages 42.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that my novel motor may beutilized as a fluid pump by connecting the drive shaft 5 to a source ofrotary power, such as a motor, and connecting the conduits 35 and 38,one to a source of fluid, and the other to suitable fluid pressureoperated apparatus. Obviously the drive shaft 5 will be rotated at arelatively slow speed, and the fluid will be displaced by orbitalmovement of the rotor 18 within the chamber 17 at a high delivery ratebut at a relatively low pressure, inasmuch as the rotor 18 makes acomplete orbital pumping cycle for each revolution imparted thereto bythe drive shaft 5 and the drive link 22.

While I have shown and described a commercial embodiment of my novelapparatus, it will be understood that the same is capable ofmodification, and that modification may be made without departure fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a fluid pressure operated motor, an internally toothed memberdefining the outer wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothedmember having a less number of teeth than the internally toothed memberand disposed eccentric thereof in said chamber in meshing engagementtherewith, one of said members being movable in an orbit about the axisof the other thereof to produce relative rotation between said members,a pair of cooperating relatively movable valve elements one of which iscoupled to said internally toothed member and which defines fluidpassages communicating with said chamber, the other of said valveelements defining fluid passages communicating with difierent ones ofthe fluid passage in said one of the valve elements upon relativemovement therebetween, one of said valve elements further defining inletand outlet ports communicating with the fluid passages therein andadapted to be coupled to a source of fluid pressure, and meansoperatively coupling said externally toothed member to a cooperating oneof said valve elements to cause relative rotation between said valveelements responsive to said relative orbital movement between saidtoothed members.

2. In a fluid pressure operated motor, an internally toothed memberdefining the outer wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothedmember having a less number of teeth than the internally toothed memberand disposed eccentric thereof in said chamber in meshing engagementtherewith, one of said members being relatively stationary, the otherthereof being relatively movable in an orbit about the axis of said onethereof to produce relative rotation between said members, a relativelystationary valve element and a relatively movable valve element one ofwhich is coupled to said internally toothed member and which definesfluid passages communicating with said chamber, the other of said valveelements defining fluid passages communicating with different ones ofthe fluid passages in said one of the valve elements upon relativemovement therebetween, one of said valve elements further defining inletand outlet ports communicating with the fluid passages therein andadapted to be coupled to a source of fluid pressure, and meansoperatively coupling said externally toothed member to a cooperating oneof said valve elements to cause relative rotation between said valveelements responsive to said orbital movement of one of said toothedmembers.

3. In a fluid pressure operated motor, an internally toothed memberdefining the outer wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothedmember having a less number of teeth than the internally toothed memberand disposed eccentric thereof in said chamber in meshing engagementtherewith, said externally toothed member being movable in an orbitabout the axis of said internally toothed member to produce relativerotation between said members, a pair of cooperating relatively movablevalve elements one of which is coupled to said internally toothed memberand which defines fluid passages communicating with said chamber, theother of said valve elements defining fluid passage communicating withdifferent ones of the fluid passages in said one of the valve elementsupon relative movement therebetween, one of said valve elements furtherdefining inlet and outlet ports communicating with the fluid passagestherein and adapted to be coupled to a source of fluid pressure, andmeans operatively coupling said externally toothed memher to acooperating one of said valve elements to cause relative rotationbetween said valve elements responsive to said orbital movement of theexternally toothed member.

4. In a fluid pressure operated motor, an internally toothed statordefining one wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothed rotorhaving a less number of teeth than said stator and disposedeccentrically thereof in said chamber and in meshing engagement withsaid stator for rotary and orbital movements relative thereto, arelatively stationary valve body connected to said stator, a cooperatingrelatively movable valve element mounted for axial and rotary movementwith respect to said valve body, said valvebody defining fluid passagescommunieating with said movable valve element and said chamber, saidvalve body further defining inlet and outlet ports adapted tobe coupledto a source of fluid pressure, said inlet-and outlet ports communicatingwith different ones of said fluid passages upon axial and rotarymovement of said movable element in one direction from an inoperativeposition wherein said inlet port is in communication with the outletport through said movable valve element, a control coupling elementoperatively connecting said movable valve element to said rotor forcommon rotation therewith,a drive shaft element, means journaling saiddrive shaft element for common rotation with said rotor, and a drivelink operatively coupling said rotor to said drive shaft, whereby rotarymovement of said rotor, caused by engagement thereof with said statorduring orbital movement of the rotor, is transferred to said driveshaft.

5. In a fluid pressure operated motor, an internally toothed statordefining one wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothed rotorhaving a less number of teeth than said stator and disposedeccentrically thereof in said chamber and in meshing engagement withsaid stator for rotary and orbital movements relative to said stator, arelativelystationary valve body connected to said stator, a cooperatingrelatively movable valve element mounted in said valve body for axialand rotary movement therein on the axis of said stator, said valve bodydefining fluid passages communicating with said movable valve elementand said chamber, said valve body further defining inlet and outletports adapted to be coupledto a source of fluid pressure, said inlet andoutlet ports connecting with different ones of said fluid passages uponaxial and rotary movement of said movable element in one direction froman inoperative position wherein said inlet port is in communication withthe outlet port through said movable valve element, means for impartingrotary and axial movement to said movable valve element, a controlcoupling element operatively connecting said movable valve element tosaid rotor for common rotation therewith, a drive shaft element, meansjournaling said drive shaft element for rotation on the comm-on axis ofsaid stator and movable valve element, and a drive link operativelycoupling said rotor to said drive shaft, whereby rotary movement of saidrotor, caused by engagement thereof with said stator during orbitalmovement of the rotor, is transferred to said drive shaft.

6. In a fluid pressure operated motor, a casing including anintermediate section and opposite end sections cooperating to define achamber, said intermediate section comprising an annular internallytoothed stator, a cooperating externally toothed rotor having a lessnumber of teeth than said stator and disposed in said chamber eccentricto said stator and in meshing engagement therewith for rotary andorbital movements relative to said stator, one of said end sectionscomprising a valve body, a valve element mounted in said body for axialand rotary movement with respect thereto on the axis of said stator,said valve body defining fluid passages communicating'with said movablevalve element and with said chamber between the internal teeth of saidstator, said valve body further defining inlet and outlet ports adaptedto be coupleted to a source of fluid pressure, said inlet and outletports communicating with diflerent ones of said fluid passages uponaxial and rotary movement of said valve element in one direction from aninoperative position wherein said inlet port is in communication withthe outlet port through said valve element, means for imparting rotaryand axial movement to said valve element, a control coupling elementoperatively connecting said valve element to said rotor for commonrotation therewith, the other of said end casing sections providing abearing, a drive shaft element journaled in said bearing on the commonaxis of said stator and valve element, and a drive link operativelycoupling said rotor to said drive shaft, whereby rotary movement of saidrotor, caused by engagement thereof with said stator during orbitalmovement of the rotor, is transferred to said drive shaft.

7. In a fluid pressure operated motor, an internally toothed statordefining one Wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothed rotorhaving a less number of teeth than said stator and disposedeccentrically thereof in said chamber and in meshing engagement Withsaid stator for rotary and orbital movements relative to said stator, arelatively stationary valve body connected to said stator, a cooperatingrelatively movable valve ele ment mounted in said valve body for axialand rotary movement therein on the axis of said stator betweeninoperative and operative positions, yielding means urging said valveelement toward its inoperative position, said valve body defining fluidpassages communicating with said movable valve element, and saidchamber, said valve body further defining inlet and outlet ports adaptedto be coupled to a source of fluid pressure, said inlet and outlet portscommunicating with different ones of said fluid passages upon axial androtary movements of said movable element in one direction from itsinoperative position wherein said inlet port is in communication withthe outlet through said movable valve element, mechanism for impartingrotary and axial movements to said valve element against bias of saidyielding means, a control coupling element operatively connecting saidvalve element to said rotor for common rotation therewith, a drive shaftelement, means journaling said drive shaft element for rotation on thecommon axis of said stator and movable valve element, and a drive linkoperatively coupling said rotor to said drive shaft, whereby rotarymovement of said rotor, caused by engagement thereof with said statorduringorhital movement of the rotor, is transferred to said drive shaft.

8. In a fluid pressure operated motor, an internally toothed statordefining one wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothed rotorhaving a less number of teeth than said stator and disposedeccentrically thereof in said chamber and in meshing engagemement withsaid stator for rotary and orbital movements relative to said stator, arelatively stationary valve body connected to said stator, a cooperatingrelatively movable valve element mounted in said valve body for axialand rotary movement therein on the axis of said stator, said valve bodydefining fluid passages communicating with said movable valve elementand said chamber, said valve body further defining inlet and outletports adapted to be coupled to a source of fluid pressure, said inletand out- 9, let ports communicating with different ones of said fiuidpassages upon axial and rotary movement of said movable element in onedirection from an inoperative position wherein said inlet port is incommunication with the outlet port through said movable valve element,means for imparting rotary and axial movement to said movable valveelement, a control coupling element connected at one end to said rotorfor common rotation therewith and for tilting movements with respect tothe axis of said rotor, means connecting said relatively movable valveelement to the opposite end of said control coupling element for limitedaxial and rotary movements relative thereto, a drive shaft element,means journaling said drive shaft element for rotation on the commonaxis of said stator and movable valve element, and a drive linkoperatively coupling said rotor to said drive shaft, whereby rotarymovement of said rotor caused by engagement thereof with said statorduring orbital movement of the rotor is transferred to said drive shaft.

9. The structure defined in claim in which said drive link is connectedto said rotor and drive shaft element for common rotation therewith andfor tilting movement with respect to the axes of said rotor and driveshaft element, said control coupling element and drive link beinganchored against axial movement relative to said rotor.

10. In a fluid pressure operated motor, an internally toothed statordefining one wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothed rotorhaving a less number of teeth than said stator and disposedeccentrically thereof in said chamber and in meshing engagement withsaid stator for rotary and orbital movements relative to said stator, arelatively stationary valve body connected to said stator, said valvebody having a central opening coaxial with the stator, a cooperatingtubular valve element mounted in said central opening for axial androtary movements between inoperative and operative positions, said valvebody defining fluid passages communicating with said movable valveelement and said chamber, said valve body further defining inlet andoutlet ports adapted to be coupled to a source of fluid pressure, saidinlet and outlet ports connecting with different ones of said fluidpassages upon axial and rotary movement of said movable element in onedirection from an inoperative position wherein said inlet port is incommunication with the outlet port through said tubular valve element, acontrol coupling element extending generally longitudinally within saidtubular valve element and having its inner end coupled to said rotor forcommon rotation therewith and for tilting movements relative to the axisof said rotor and anchored against axial movement relative to saidrotor, means connecting the outer end of said coupling element to saidtubular valve element for limited relative axial and rotary movements,yielding means interposed between said coupling element and said tubularvalve element urging said valve element toward its inoperative position,a drive shaft element, means journaling said drive shaft element forrotation on the comanon axis of said stator and movable valve element,and a drive link operatively coupling said rotor to said drive shaft,whereby rotary movement of said rotor, caused by engagement thereof withsaid stator during orbital movement of the rotor, is transferred to thedrive shaft.

11. The structure defined in claim 7 in which said movable valve elementdefines a cam surface, said control coupling element including a camfollower urged toward engagement with said cam surface by said yieldingmeans and causing said valve element to move axially in one directionresponsive to rotary movement of said valve element in a givendirection, and in further combination with means for imparting limitedrotary movement to said movable valve element independently of saidrotor.

12. In a fluid pressure operated motor, a casing including andintermediate section and opposite end sections cooperating to define achamber, said intermediate section comprising an annular internallytoothed stator, a cooperating externally toothed rotor having a less number of teeth than said stator and disposed in said chamber eccentric tosaid stator and in meshing engagement therewith for rotary and orbitalmovements relative to said stator, said rotor having an internallytoothed central opening extending axially therethrough, one of said endsections comprising a valve body, a valve element mounted in said bodyfor axial and rotary movements with respect thereto on the axis of saidstator, said valve body defining fiuid passages communicating with saidmovable valve element and with said chamber between the internal teethof said stator, said valve body further defining inlet and outlet portsadapted to be coupled to a source of fluid pressure, said inlet andoutlet ports communieating with different ones of said fluid passagesupon axial and rotary movement of said valve element in one directionfrom an inoperative position wherein said inlet port is in communicationwith the outlet port through said valve element, means for impartingrotary and axial movements to said valve element, an elongated controlcoupling element connected at its outer end to said valve element forlimited axial movement relative thereto and for tilting movementsrelative to the axis of the valve element, a toothed head on the innerend of said coupling element having meshing engagement with the internalteeth in the central opening of said rotor, the other of said end casingsections providing a bearing, a drive shaft element journaled in saidbearing on the common axis of said stator and said valve element, and adrive link connected at its outer end to said drive shaft element forcommon rotation therewith and for tilting movements relative to the axisthereof, the inner end of said drive link defining a toothed head havingmeshing engagement with the internal teeth in the central opening ofsaid rotor adjacent the head on said control coupling element, the teethon said heads being longitudinally arcuate to permit tilting of saidcoupling element and said link with respect to the axis of said rotor,the adjacent ends of said heads being substantially in abuttingengagement, the opposite ends of said heads each engaging an adjacentwall surface of said chamber whereby to limit longitudinal movements ofsaid coupling element and said drive link away from each other, rotarymovement of said rotor, caused by engagement thereof with said statorduring orbital movement of the rotor, being transferred to said driveshaft element by said drive link.

13. In a fiuid pressure device, an internally toothed member definingthe outer wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothed memberhaving a less number of teeth than the internally toothed member anddisposed eccentric thereof in said chamber in meshing engagementtherewith, one of said members moving in an orbit about the axis of theother thereof during relative rotation between said members, a pair ofcooperating relatively movable valve elements one of which is connectedto said internally toothed member and which defines fluid passagescommunicating with said chamber, the other of said valve elementsdefining fluid passages communicating with different ones of the fluidpassages in said one of the valve elements upon relative movementtherebetween, one of said valve elements further defining inlet andoutlet ports communicating with the fluid passages therein, said inletport being adapted to be connected to a source of fluid, and meansoperatively coupling said externally toothed member to a cooperating oneof said valve elements to impart relative rotation between said valveelements responsive to said relative orbital and rotary movement betweensaid toothed members.

14. In a fluid pressure operated motor, an internally toothed statordefining one wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothed rotorhaving a less number of teeth than said stator and disposedeccentrically thereof in said chamber and in meshing engagement withsaid stator for rotary and orbital movements relative thereto,

a relatively stationary valve body connected to said stator, 21cooperating relatively movable valve element mounted in said valve bodyfor limited movement relative to said rotor and for common rotarymovements therewith, said valve body defining fluid passagescommunicating with said movable valve element and spaced portions ofsaid chamber, said valve body further defining inlet and outlet ports,said inlet port being adapted to be coupled to a source of fluidpressure, said inlet and outlet ports communicating with diflerent onesof said fluid passages upon rotary movement of said movable valveelement, a con trol coupling element operatively connecting said movablevalve element to said rotor for common rotation therewith and permittingsaid limited rotary movement of said valve element relative to saidrotor, a drive shaft element, means journaling said drive shaft elementfor common rotation with said rotor, and a drive link operativelycoupling said rotor to said drive shaft, whereby rotary movement of saidrotor, caused by engagement thereof with said stator during orbitalmovement of the rotor, is transferred to said drive shaft.

15. In a fluid pressure device, an internally toothed member definingthe outer wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothed memberhaving a less number of teeth than the internally toothed member anddisposed eccentric thereof in said chamber in meshing engagementtherewith, one of said members moving in an orbit about the axis of theother thereof during relative rotation between said members, valve meansincluding cooperating relatively movable valve elements one of which isoperatively coupled to said internally toothed member and which definesfluid passages in communication with said chamber, another of said valveelements defining fluid passages communicating with different ones ofthe fluid passages in said one of the valve elements upon relativerotation therebetween, said valve means defining inlet and outlet portscommunicating with difierent ones of said fluid passages and adapted tobe coupled to a source of fluid, and means operatively coupling saidexternally toothed member to a cooperating one of said valve elements tocause relative movement between said valve elements responsive to saidrelative orbital movement between said toothed members.

16. In a fluid pressure device, an internally toothed member definingthe outer wall of a chamber, a cooperating externally toothed memberhaving a less number of teeth than the internally toothed member anddisposed eccentric thereof in said chamber in meshing engagementtherewith, said externally toothed member moving in an orbital path withits axis moving in an orbit about the axis of the other of said membersduring relative rotation between said members, valve means includingcooperating relatively movable valve elements one of which isoperatively coupled to said internally toothed member and which definesfluid passages in communication with said chamber, another of said valveelements defining fluid passages "communicating with different ones ofthe fluid passages in said one of the valve elements upon relativerotation therebctweemsaid valve means defining inlet and outlet portscommunicating with difierent ones of said fluid passages and adapted tobe coupled to a source of fluid, and means operatively coupling saidexternally toothed member to a cooperating one of said valve elementsand comprising a shaft secured at one end to said externally toothedmember for common orbital and common rotary movements of said one endwith said externally toothed member, said shaft being operativelyconnected at its other end to one of said valve elements for commonrotation therewith.

17. The structure defined in claim 16 further characterized by meansexternally of said valve elements for imparting movement to one of saidvalve elements relative to the other thereof.

18. In a fluid pressure device, a relatively stationary internallytoothed member defining the outer wall of a Chamber, a cooperatingrelatively movable externally toothed member havingp less number ofteeth than said internally toothed member and disposed eccentric thereofin said chamber in meshing engagement with said internally toothedmember, said externally toothed member being movable in an orbit in saidchamber with its axis moving in an orbit about the axis of saidinternally toothed member during rotary movement of said externallytoothed member, valve means including relatively stationary andrelatively rotary valve elements, said relatively stationary valveelement being operatively coupled to said internally toothed member andhaving fluid passages in communication with said chamber, saidrelatively rotary valve element having fluid passages registering withdifierent ones of the fluid passages in said relatively stationary valveelement upon rotation of said relatively rotary valve element, saidrelatively stationary valve element having inlet and outlet portscommunicaring with different passages therein and adapted to beconnected to a source of fluid pressure, and means opcratively c uplingsaid externally toothed member to said relatively rotary valve elementand comprising a shaft secured at one end to said externally toothedmgmher for common orbital and 'common rotary movements of said one endwith said externally toothed member, and means connecting the other endof said shaft to said relatively rotary valve element.

19. The structure defined in claim 18 in which said last-mentioned meansincludes a lost motion connection permitting limited relative rotarymovement between said shaft and said relatively rotary valve element andconnccting said shaft to said rotary valve element for common rotationbeyond the limits of said relative rotaiy movement therebetween, and infurther combination with external means for imparting rotary movement tosaid relatively rotary t valve element.

'20. In a fluid pressure device, a relatively stationary internallytoothed member defining the outer wall of a chamber, a cooperatingrelatively movable externally toothed member having a less number ofteeth than said internally toothed member and disposed eccentricallythereof in said chamber in meshing engagement with said internallytoothed member, said externally toothed member being movable in an orbitin said chamber with its axis moving in an orbit about the axis of saidinternally toothed member during rotary movement of said externallytoothed member, valve means including relatively stati nary andrelatively rotary valve elements, said relatively stationary valveelement being opcratively coupled to said internally toothed member andhaving a bore therein and fluid passages communicating withcircumferentially spaced portions of said chamber and circumferentiallyspaced portions of said bore, said relatively stationary valve elementfurther having inlet and outlet ports adapted to be connected to asource of fluid pressure, said relatively rotary valve element beingrotatably mounted in said bore and having circumferentially spacedpassages communicating with said ports and registering with differentones of the fluid passages in said relatively stationary valve elementupon rotation of said relatively rotary valve element to efle'ct comm'unication between said inlet port and circumferentially successiveportions of said chamber and between said outlet port and othercircumferentially successive, portions of said chamber, a shaft securedat one end to said externally toothed member for common orbital androtary movements of said one end with said externally toothed member, alost motion connection between the other end of said shaft and saidrelatively rotary valve element permitting limited relative rotationbetween said shaft and said relatively rotary valve element andconnecting said shaft to said relatively rota-ry valve element forcommon rotation beyond the limit of relative rotary movementtherebetween, and independnt means for imparting rotary m vement to saidrotary valve element.

21. In a fluid pressure device, a relatively stationary internallytoothed member defining the outer wall of a chamber, a cooperatingrelatively movable externally toothed member having a less number ofteeth than said internally toothed member and disposed eccentricallythereof in said chamber in meshing engagement with said internallytoothed member, said externally toothed member being movable in an orbitin said chamber with its axis moving in an orbit about the axis of saidinternally toothed member during rotary movement of said externallytoothed member and cooperating with said internally toothed member todivide said chamber into a plurality of expanding and contractingchamber portions, valve means including relatively stationary andrelatively rotary valve elements, said relatively stationary valveelements being operatively coupled to said internally toothed member andhaving a bore therein and fluid passages communicating with differentones of said chamber portions and circumferentially spaced portions ofsaid bore, said relatively stationary valve element further having inletand outlet ports adapteki to be connected to a source of fluid pressure,said relatively rotary valve element being ro-tatably mounted in saidbore and having circumferentially spaced passages communicating withsaid ports and registering with different Ones of the fluid passages insaid relatively stationary valve element upon rotation of saidrelatively rotary valve element to effect communication between saidinlet port and successive ones of said chamber portions and between saidoutlet port and successive other ones of said chamber portions, a shaftsecured at one end to said externally toothed member for common orbitaland rotary movements of said one end with said externally toothedmember, a lost motion connection between the other end of said shaft andsaid relatively rotary valve element permitting limited relativerotation between said shaft and said relatively rotary valve element andconnecting said shaft to said relatively rotary valve element for commonrotation beyond the limit of relative rotary movement therebetween, andexternal means for imparting rotary movement to said rotary valveelement.

References Cited in the file of this patent or the original patentUNITED STATES PATENTS 2,899,937 Nuebling Aug. 18, 1959

